What could have been: New Zealand National Airways Corporation Douglas DC-9-10 and BAC One-Eleven-200

When NZNAC undertook the decision to replace their five Vickers Viscounts in 1965, they ultimately arrived at three options: The BAC One-Eleven, the Douglas DC-9, and the Boeing 737. The One-Eleven was the clear frontrunner, the favoured option of the NZ (and british) government, and unlike the two americans, the only one in active service. Which came as quite a shock to everyone when NAC recommended purchasing the 737s, favouring its superior performance, capacity and economics in comparison to the other two types.

It took nearly two years of intense political pushback and lobbying from both the NZ and British governments, the latter making a last-minute plea with a GBP20,000 price cut per One-Eleven purchased. But NAC held firm, and ultimately purchased three 737-200s, the first arriving in September 18, 1968, fifty years since Boeing's first sale to New Zealand.

Based on the livery of NZNAC 737-200 ZK-NAC, with slight changes.
Special thanks to POTKC for the BAC One-Eleven-200 template and Atsuk0 for the DC-9-20 template.